The first unlikely team to reach the NCAA Tournament—and likely the biggest surprise when the Field of 68 is set—has punched its ticket.

Liberty, which entered the Big South Conference Tournament with 20 losses, beat Charleston Southern, 87-76, on Sunday to earn the league’s automatic bid and its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2004.

Liberty University coach Dale Layer kisses his wife Brenda after his team clinches a spot in the NCAA Tournament. (AP Photo/Willis Glassgow)

Liberty entered the conference tournament ranked No. 299 in the RPI with the 303rd-ranked strength of schedule. Entering the championship game, kenpom.com had Liberty 257th.

The Flames won four tournament games to get the NCAA berth, including victories against the North Division top seed (High Point) and Charleston Southern, the No. 1 seed in the South.

Liberty lost its first eight games to start the season and were 11-20 after a season-ending win against Radford. That’s when the Flames put together their improbable four-game run through the Big South Conference tournament.

Despite its poor record, Liberty did play Georgetown—playing without Otto Porter—a decent game in November, losing 68-59 in the Legends Classic in Washington, D.C.